Application-Aware Modem Timer Tuning for Jitter Buffer Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing jitter-related delays, leading to poor user experiences due to delayed data packet delivery and underflow in jitter buffers, especially in applications with specific latency requirements, as modem timers are configured for average latency rather than peak requirements.

Innovation Solution

Modifying modem timers, such as reordering and reassembly timers, based on jitter timing values associated with applications instantiated on user equipment (UE) to align with application-specific requirements, thereby improving data packet delivery timing and reducing buffer underflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If modem timers are configured for average latency requirements, then network resource utilization is improved, but peak latency requirements are not met causing poor user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidpeak latency requirement fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timer configuration where the modem timer values are adjusted based on real-time application requirements. The system determines whether an application needs average or peak latency optimization and configures timer values accordingly, making the timer configuration adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between average latency optimization (for general traffic) and peak latency optimization (for real-time applications like gaming or video calls).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timer parameter values based on application-specific requirements. The network node receives indicator information from the terminal about application type and adjusts the modem timer values (such as T310, T311, T320 timers) accordingly. For real-time applications requiring peak latency fulfillment, the system uses shorter timer values, while for general traffic, longer timer values are used to optimize resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If independent jitter buffer configuration is used, then application-specific timing requirements can be met, but data packet delivery delay increases causing buffer underflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific timing configurationVSAvoiddata packet delivery delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the jitter buffer configuration with modem timer configuration into a coordinated system. Instead of independently configuring jitter buffers at the application layer and modem timers at the network layer, the system integrates these configurations so that the modem timer values are derived from or coordinated with the jitter buffer requirements. This coordination ensures that packets are delivered to the jitter buffer at the right time, preventing both underflow and excessive delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal provides indicator information about application requirements to the network node. The network node uses this feedback to appropriately configure modem timers. Additionally, the system monitors packet delivery timing and adjusts configurations to ensure packets arrive within the jitter buffer window, preventing underflow while minimizing delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4437457B1Modifying modem timers based on jitter timing associated with an application
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4437457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4437457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4437457B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may generate at least one modified timing value corresponding to at least one modem timer by modifying at least one configured timing value corresponding to the at least one modem timer based at least in part on a jitter timing value associated with an application that is instantiated on the UE. The UE may receive at least one data packet based at least in part on the at least one modified timing value. Numerous other aspects are provided.